Andrew Loe is a first-year medical student at the University of British Columbia and a violist with over a decade of orchestral experience. Alongside his medical training, he has continued to cultivate a deep and lasting commitment to music, which has remained an important part of his life for many years. As a performer, Andrew values the discipline, collaboration, and sense of connection that ensemble playing brings, and he is grateful for opportunities to continue making music at a high level while pursuing a career in medicine.

Over the course of his musical career, Andrew has performed in more than 10 countries, gaining a wide range of experience through international performance opportunities. His background in orchestral playing spans many years and has shaped his musicianship through both large ensemble and collaborative settings. In addition to his extensive orchestral experience, he has been actively involved in chamber music for the past seven years, developing a particular appreciation for the precision, communication, and artistry that small ensemble playing demands.

Andrew’s chamber music work remains a central part of his musical life. His current quartet was recently selected as a finalist in the Friends of Chamber Music Competition, an achievement that reflects both his dedication to ensemble playing and his continued growth as a collaborative musician. Across orchestra, chamber music, and international performance, his musical accomplishments speak to a long-standing passion for excellence, connection, and shared artistry.

Andrew is especially excited to be part of the Canadian Doctors Orchestra, where he can bring together his interests in medicine and music while performing alongside fellow physicians and trainees who share a love of orchestral music.

Sophie is a Violist and Educator originally from Seattle, WA. She moved to Victoria in 2021 to study music at the University of Victoria, from where she now holds a Bachelor of Music. Sophie is an active performer and community member in the Greater Victoria music scene. She has performed in many orchestras and chamber groups, and she loves playing in various styles such as historical performance practice, musical theater, and studio recording. Sophie is an instructor at various musical education programs around Southern Vancouver Island and a community member, currently residing on the board of the Early Music Society of the Islands. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, exploring downtown, or attempting some swings at the driving range. To learn more about her, see her website here (https://sites.google.com/view/sophie-hillstrom-music/home?pli=1).

Andrea Kenney was raised on the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen First Nation, and is currently residing on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples. She is in the final semester of her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Victoria, and looking forward to beginning her master’s degree in Health Services Research at the University of Calgary in the fall. Her academic and professional work focuses on ageing, brain injury, and community well-being.

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Andrea is currently the honours student in the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Mental Health and Well-Being Lab, where her research explores the relationship between cultural continuity and health in Indigenous communities. Andrea has contributed to multiple research projects in neuropsychological rehabilitation labs at the University of Victoria, including large evidence syntheses examining mental health and addictions in brain injury populations.

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In addition to her research, Andrea has experience in community support roles and program development, including work in brain injury services, crisis intervention, and sexualized violence prevention initiatives. When not studying, Andrea can be found at the gym or Maude Hunter’s trivia.

Brendan Schmidt serves as Outreach and Marketing Director. He brings strong project management abilities, healthcare and health informatics expertise, and a collaborative problem-solving mindset developed through his Health Information Science degree at the University of Victoria, which he completed in 2025. During his studies, Brendan also completed three co-op placements with various health authorities, where he gained practical experience working on healthcare systems, data, and organizational processes.

Brendan is currently deciding whether to continue his studies with a Master’s in Health Informatics at the University of Victoria or to enter the workforce. Recently, he underwent a bone marrow transplant in Vancouver and is recovering well. Through his work with the Canadian Doctors Orchestra, Brendan hopes to contribute to a meaningful initiative that brings together healthcare professionals while supporting charitable causes

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Irena Datcu-Romano is a masters of Religious Studies student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She graduated with a BA double-major in Writing and Religion, Culture and Society from the University of Victoria in 2026. Raised on the unceded territories of the Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Sto:lo, and Semiahmoo First Nations, Irena has three years experience in event planning, community organization and not-for-profit work, and has worked with organizations such as Place des Arts, Campus United, and the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia. Her poetry has been published in Canadian and American magazines including EVENT, Yolk, Quarterly West and The Fiddlehead. She serves as an Event Coordinator for the Canadian Doctors Orchestra.

Sirui Li is a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary and has recently begun learning the violin. In addition to her current violin studies, she holds an ARCT in Piano Performance. Prior to medicine, she was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology at the University of British Columbia, where she contributed to research at BC Children’s Hospital that has helped shape RSV clinical guidelines. Driven by her love for making music with others, she founded Tuning Fork, a local orchestra for UCalgary medical students. 

Sirui has a deep appreciation for music that has led her to exploring a variety of musical opportunities. She played flute in her high school’s wind ensemble, and piano/vibraphone in jazz band. At UBC, she joined the Balinese Gamelan as well as Chinese Instrumental Ensemble, where she was privileged to learn the Kotekan, Reyong, Zheng, and Gu with world-class instructors.

As an Event Coordinator, Sirui is excited to contribute in creating positive experiences for the members of the Canadian Doctors Orchestra. She looks forward to giving back to the community’s performers who work to care for the health of others.